Life experiences certification process

ABSTRACT

A process of information certification is provided. The process includes receiving a request from a user, such as an individual, group, or entity, and dividing the categories into two parts. Checking and certification is performed by a Host where possible on existing categories of subject matter. Additional categories are generated for new information to be checked and certified. Certifications are provided for all categories which can be and have been checked. The certification process is continued in the future—either automatically and/or upon request—to include any new information provided by the user or found in regular searches.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/610,721, filed on Nov. 2, 2009, and also claims priority from U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/499,061 filed Jun. 20, 2011.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to certifications for users'experiences, achievements, educational pursuits, personal interests andthe like in comprehensive social biographical profiles. The inventioncan service individuals, groups, entities, employers and job applicants,to allow them to accurately portray background, life experiences, socialviews and interactions and life objectives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technology today has allowed dissemination of a tremendous amount ofinformation and data relative to people, places, businesses, etc. Thereare numerous websites and other media from which information and datacan be obtained. Some of the data comes from sites or sources that arereputable and accurate. The source and accuracy of other data is oftensuspect and often untrue.

The data could be published or disseminated by the user, or it could beprovided by others, known or unknown. The data and information,particularly for individuals, also could change over time as the personadvances into other endeavors or reacts to other challenges. It would bepreferable if the data were checked for accuracy or accredited byreliable sources so that the truth and accuracy of the data andinformation would be assured.

The desirability and need for thorough and accurate information relativeto individuals and others does not end with employment interviews. Itcan extend to the intricacy of the person's live and can includevirtually everything that the person experiences, desires, or gainsknowledge of throughout the person's existence. Facts or data aboutpersons' lives can grow as the persons grow and is useful for manyapplications, including continued or new employment, entry into otherendeavors, attractiveness to others with similar interests, and thelike.

It would be useful for the persons themselves, as well as others with aninterest in such persons, to have a credible and certifiable source forascertaining ongoing information relating to them. It is an object ofthis invention to provide systems and processes for accomplishing this.

Individuals, as well as businesses, social groups, political groups,etc. all have a need to have their history, objectives, activities,experiences, and accomplishments updated and portrayed accurately.

The desirability and need for accurate and truthful data relative topersons is evident in many areas and in many disciplines, particularlyin employment situations. The desirability and need also is evidentthroughout the lives of the persons, groups and entities, also for manyreasons.

In the employment area, in particular, the advancement of industrytechnology has generated an ever increasing need within corporations foremployees with highly specific skills and backgrounds. This, in turn,has resulted in complex and costly process of interviewing and reviewingjob applicants. Commonly, a corporation must review a large number ofresumes to isolate candidates with the right background for a particularposition. The resulting candidates are then interviewed and examined tofind the most suitable matches. Due to possible errors and misleadingstatements on resumes, the resumes are often submitted to aninvestigation to verify pertinent facts and statements contained onthem. These investigation can be extremely expensive. In addition, theseinvestigations are often performed after considerable time and cost havealready been expended by the corporation in narrowing the number ofpatented candidates and selecting the few best potential candidates forthe job position. As a result, these processes are extremely inefficientand non-cost effective for both potential employee as well as employer.

It is known that a significant percentage of resumes, networking sitesand interne social sites may contain information that is factuallyinaccurate or incorrect. While often the mistakes are insignificant, itis important that profiles of groups and individuals be statedaccurately and that potential employers have confidence in the accuracyof resumes and social profiles. For example, human resource officers(HRO) can spend an enormous amount of time sifting through resumes toselect candidates for positions within their company. After theapplicant gets through the interview and is selected, the HRO thenconducts a background check before the candidate becomes employed by thecompany. A large number of man hours are typically invested in apotential candidate before the background process even begins.

A corporation could engage a certification company to review allsubmitted resumes prior to the interview process. This, however, isknown to be extremely costly as well. In this scenario, each of theresumes submitted for a position would incur a certification cost. Thusthe employer would be paying to verify a large number of resumes whosecandidates may likely be dismissed in early reviews. In addition,received resumes often comprise a wide variety of information havingdiffering certification difficulties. Therefore, certification ofbatches of resumes cannot be accomplished in a uniform manner. The costto most corporations, outside of secure government positions, rendersthis methodology impractical.

Finally, the information on a candidates resume that is vital maysignificantly vary depending on the particular employer or even theparticular position to be filled. A particular employer or position mayrequire applicant details that are unique or uncommon from a standardresume. While some employers may require extensive verification of everydetail, certain employers may have simpler requirements such as acriminal background check and a high school diploma. It would be highlyefficient to utilize a flexible system that did not incur verificationcosts except when necessary.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide aresume certification process that would pre-certify an individual'sresume so as to provide to employers a candidate's resume that can berelied on as being accurate. The process provides a unique and efficientservice that pre-certifies resumes to weed out resumes that are eitherembellished or fraudulent. The process will be accomplished in a largepart through an electronic process that will be much more efficient thana HRO sifting through resumes and interviewing candidates who may haveresumes containing inaccurate or misleading information. It is a furtherintention of the present invention to provide an online database ofresumes that are pre-certified as correct so as to pair employee needsto prospective applicants who are qualified to address these needs. Thisprovides a significant advantage to both candidate as well as employer.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide acertification process which can be used by individuals and others toupdate and accurately portray biographical and social profiles,particularly for networking and ongoing interests. This process alsoprovides a unique, efficient and cost effective service that can certifyhistories, activities, experiences, additional education,accomplishments, changes, and objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the objects of the present invention, processes ofsocial networking certifications and resume certifications are provided.As to the resume certification, the process includes receiving a resumefrom an individual and submitting the resume to a baseline certificationprocess to produce a baseline certified resume. The process furtherincludes storing the certified resume in a candidate database. Theprocess includes charging the individual for the certification andstorage within the candidate database. The process further includesaccepting potential candidate requirements from prospective employersand identifying resumes belonging to relevant candidates from thecandidate database. Finally, the process provides the prospectiveemployers with the resumes of such relevant candidates in combinationwith the certification.

The resume certification process further provides generating employerdefined additional certification categories. The process identifiespotential positions or employees requiring the additional certificationcategories. Finally the process allows individuals to pay for additionalcertification of the additional certification categories to have theirresumes moved from the baseline candidate database to a tailoredcandidate database. The process further includes accepting potentialcandidate requirements from prospective employers and identifyingresumes belonging to relevant candidates from the tailored candidatedatabase. Finally, the resume certification process provides theprospective employers with the resumes of such relevant candidates incombination with the additional and baseline certification.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the system cancombine varied intelligence in automatic documentation as a result ofcertifiable additional education, activities, awards, publications andthe like, which are secured, learned or achieved cumulatively over theusers' lives. Based on information and data provided by the user, a baseis developed of the user's knowledge, patterns and correlations. Theusers' profiles are continually updated and changed—oftenautomatically—to include the user's life experiences and then currentsituations.

With this embodiment of the present invention, the users' profiles canbe authenticated through certification. The user's education,achievements, interests and life experiences can be researched, checkedand certified, which allows others, such as social contacts, networkingobjectives, current or prospective employers, and the like to quicklyand accurately gain all of the important and significant facts of theusers.

The users also can use the profiles to connect with others, such asprofessionals, with similar knowledge, education and life experiences.The user can also be kept up to date with the achievements, professionalor others, such as friends and colleagues. This could lead to increasedcommunication with other persons, groups, and organizations, whethersocial, business, education, political or otherwise.

The invention can encourage the users to invest into further trainingand education, which can improve the lives and situations of usersthemselves, as well as their employers and acquaintances.

Objectives stated by the users also can be published and acted upon. Theinvention can provide information to advise users on what training,education, experience, etc. is needed to reach desired goals.

The data entered and submitted into the database can also be selectivelydisseminated to others.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentwhen viewed in light of the detailed description and preferredembodiments when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings andclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of a process of resumecertification in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detail illustrating types of resumes that can be certified.

FIG. 3 is a detail illustrating a certification process directed towardseducation for use in the process illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detail illustrating a certification process directed towardsprofessional experience for use in the process illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detail illustrating a baseline certification processdirected towards professional certification for use in the processillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a detail of the process in FIG. 1 illustrating additionalsteps.

FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of the detail illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an alternate embodiment of the detail illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of the detail illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an embodiment of a process for creating asocial networking profile.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, which is an embodiment of a resumecertification process 100 in accordance with the present invention. Theprocess 100 is comprised of receiving a resume from an individual 102.It is contemplated that this may be comprised of receiving a completeresume from an individual 104 and processing said resume into discreetcertification categories 106. In addition, it is contemplated that thismay be comprised of generating a plurality of discreet certificationcategories 108 and having an individual fill in said discreetcertification categories 110. The second methodology is efficientlyadaptable to online submission of resumes by individuals.

In the basic operation of the aforementioned process a candidate willorder the services via a webpage designed for the present uniqueprocess. The candidate will submit a resume 10 (FIG. 2) by filling-inthe necessary fields or certification categories 12 provided by thesoftware. It should be understood that it is contemplated that alldiscreet certification categories need not be actually certified duringthe claimed process. The items being certified can be selected ordesignated by the candidate and/or the employer. Furthermore, it iscontemplated that the discreet certification categories 12 may encompassa wide variety of resume categories such as name, address, educationalhistory, job history, professional certifications, licenses, skills,criminal history, security clearances and a variety of other categoriesto name just a few. The process specific to a few sample discreetcategories 12 such as education 14, professional experience 16, andprofessional certifications 18 is disclosed in more detail, although thesubstance of these processes may be applicable to any of the potentialdiscreet categories 12.

Once the individual's resume 10 has been received, the process chargesthe individual, or a company, with a baseline certification charge 112and submits the resume 10 to a baseline certification process 114 (FIG.1). This is preferably accomplished through the use of a credit card ordebit card online. It should be understood that the baselinecertification 114 is intended to encompass a wide variety of officialverifications including, but not limited to, polling known or generateddatabases, phone inquiries, credit checks, government records and otherinvestigative measures. The baseline certification is intended toofficially certify at least a portion, if not at all, of the discreetcertification categories 116. It is intended that the baselinecertification covers the standard basics required by most companies suchas educational and employment history. By generating a baselinecertification 114, the present process provides a cost effectivecertification that satisfies the vast majority of employers andapplicants. In at least one embodiment, the baseline certification cancertify all of the categories 12 presented to the applicant by thewebsite.

It is further contemplated that the present invention requires thesubmission of a background check permission form 113 prior to beginningany certification proceedings 114. This includes, but is not limited to,permission to check education and employment history. The presentinvention contemplates developing and accessing a permission formdatabase 111 such that the required language or verbiage of a particularinstitution may be included if necessary. The present inventionautomatically matches the entered school or corporation with requiredverbiage and incorporates it into the background check permission form113. This insures a quick and reliable confirmation process that allowsindividual institutions to retain a level of privacy release that theyare already accustomed to. In addition, as individual institutionalrequirements are discovered and added to the database, they willautomatically be applied to the permission form of future candidatesassociated with the same institution.

Although the present invention contemplates a variety of certificationmethodologies that may vary depending on the discreet certificationcategories 12 a few specific processes are provided in more detail. FIG.3 is an illustration of an embodiment 300 of the certificationmethodology as it applies to education 300. The first educationalcertification step will be to determine if the educational institutionis in fact a legitimate institution accredited by the US Department ofEducation 302. If the educational institution is accredited ornon-accredited it will be scored accordingly 304. Scoring is utilizedsuch that non-accredited institutions or non-verified institutions maystill be certified but will be noted as such. In one embodiment, it iscontemplated that the scoring comprises reducing a percentage ofreliability to a percentage such as 80% to indicate that the school innon-accredited. In other embodiment, a notation of non-accreditationwill be applied. The verification of accreditation of high schools willbe preferably accomplished through the use of an in house database oflisted institutions. Verification of post secondary education will beelectronically checked with the U.S. Department of Education. Ininstances where the candidate has not earned a degree from a traditionalsecondary institution but has received a GED, the process electronicallychecks with the appropriate state agency to verify the information.

The electronic verification of accreditation is followed by acertification of attendance verification 306 to verify the dates ofattendance. This is preferably accomplished electronically through astudent clearinghouse database where possible. An in-house electronicsystem is utilized to contact institutions not on record with thestudent clearinghouse to certify attendance at the respectiveinstitutions. In at least one embodiment, this constituteselectronically contacting the institution with the request incombination with the permission form. The certification checks the datesof attendance 308 for error and if found notifies the candidateelectronically that there are inaccuracies in the aforementioned sectionand provides an opportunity to correct and resubmit the section forcertification 310. If the information is not corrected, the section isrejected 312 and the resume or section will not receive certification.In at least one model of the present invention, the candidate is chargeda surcharge to correct the certification. In another model, if theinaccuracies are weighted and if found sufficiently minor, the systemwill prompt the candidate with the correct information. Thus, if it isclear that attendance is only a month off or if an error is clearlytypographical, the candidate is allowed to correct without surcharge.

After verification of attendance 306 is finished, the graduation anddegree earned information listed on the resume are verified for accuracy314. Where internal or external databases are electronically available,they are utilized. Where institutions only release data with permission,the institution is contacted electronically with the appropriatepermission form. If the graduation status and/or degree are not correct316, the candidate is notified electronically of the inaccuracies andgiven the opportunity to make corrections and resubmit the section forverification 318. If the information is not corrected, the section isrejected 318 and the section/resume will not obtain certification 319.If all the information in the educational certification 300 is accurate,the educational section will be certified as accurate 320.

In addition to the certification of education 300, the present inventioncontemplates a process for the certification of employment history 400as shown in FIG. 4. The process includes utilizing a unique EmployerLegitimacy Matric (ELM) 402 to help prevent the possibility offabricated work history or the attempt to cover up potential gaps inemployment. The contemplated unique matrix preferably has a uniquethree-point checklist to determine if the company listed is legitimate404. The checklist includes checking if the company has a phone numbermatching the address listed, a Secretary of State listing, or a webdomain. In one embodiment, the company is given a pass/fail score if anyof the three checkpoints are satisfied 406. It is contemplated, however,that a company that fails all three checkpoints may be adjusted by thecandidate to a passing status by submission of a W-2 or paystub from thecompany 408 to ensure its legitimacy. In another embodiment, if thecompany satisfies all three checkpoints, the company is assigned a scoreof 100% 406. If the company scores less than all three checkpoints, thescore is reduced accordingly. In this embodiment, it is contemplated,however, that scores less than 100% may be adjusted by the candidate to100% by submission of a W-2 or paystub, from the company 408 to ensureits legitimacy. In this embodiment, where the company is a smalloperation or is not in operation and the candidate fails to provide aW-2 or paystub, an employer score will be attached to the employmentselection reflecting the reliability 410.

Once the company is checked through the ELM 402, the processelectronically contacts the human resource office of the employer 412.The process confirms the legitimate identity of the human resourceoffice by verifying legitimate company email address, fax number, ortelephone number 413. The process further confirms that only currentemployees of the listed company responsible for handling HRO duties willbe acceptable to complete certification of this section. This preventsthe use of prior co-workers to act as fronts for the human resourcedepartment. The process utilizes internal and external databases toverify proper HRO contact. If the HRO information is not verified thecandidate is afforded an opportunity to correct the data and resubmitfor certification 415. If the data is not confirmed, then thesection/resume is not certified 417.

Where a company is no longer available, the company will be scored usingthe employer legitimacy matrix 402 to determine if the company wasoperating during the time period that candidate listed. The humanresource office contact 412 will then be an officer of the corporationfiled with the respective secretary of state records. In this case, theweb domain may be removed from the matrix of verification. Therequirement of checking with a legitimate human resource officer 412prevents the fabrication of contacts at past employers who are nowdefunct.

In either case, the human resource office contact will electronicallyverify that the candidate has correctly listed dates of employment, jobduties, job salary, and accomplishments accurately 414. It should beunderstood that the aforementioned list for verification may be modifiedas would be understood by one skilled in the art in light of thisspecification. If any of the elements are not correct 419, the candidatewill be electronically notified and will have an opportunity to makecorrections and resubmit for certification 416. If the information isnot corrected, the section is rejected and the section/resume will notreceive certification 421. If, however, the information can be verified,the employment section is certified 418.

It is contemplated that some candidates may have military experiencelisted within the employment section that require a unique method ofverification. The military commonly protects such records closely andmakes outside receipt difficult. Therefore, the present inventioncontemplates a two step process of requiring the candidate to supply acopy of their discharge papers to verify dates of service, militarybranch and rank, and discharge status 420. In addition, the candidatemust sign a form acknowledging the penalties for falsifying militaryrecords.

In a certification method similar to the ones above, the presentinvention contemplates a unique method of verifying professionalcertifications 500 (FIG. 5). The candidate electronically enters theprofessional certification or license in addition to the source wherethe certification or license was obtained 502. The process thendetermines if the professional certification/license is from anaccredited source 504. It is contemplated that the determination of anaccredited source 504 may be electronically verified using aclearinghouse database or internal records. If the verification cannotbe obtained with the clearinghouse or internal database, the customersupplied accreditation source is contacted for verification. If theaccreditation cannot be verified, the candidate may correct theinformation and resubmit for certification 506. If the information isnot corrected, the section/resume is rejected 508 and not certified.

If the professional license is obtained through state agencies it willbe verified electronically through the respective state agency thatgranted the license 510. The status of the professional license anddates obtained will be verified. If any elements are not accurate, thecandidate will be electronically contacted 512 to correct the data andresubmit for certification. If corrected data is not obtained, thesection/resume is not certified 514. If the new data is confirmed, thesection is certified 516.

It is further contemplated that the present invention may include asection for personal accomplishments including membership inorganizations. It is contemplated that similar to the above, thecandidate will be asked to submit valid contact information for theorganization that can be verified as legitimate through a web basedsource or listed phone number in an identical fashion to the above.

If all sections are verified, the resume may be certified as accurate inits entirety. The present invention also contemplates that resumes ofteninclude special skills or other details of the applicant that are notreadily verifiable through an accredited source. These may includeskills such as typing and foreign language mastery for example. Thepresent invention contemplates allowing the candidate to include thecertifiable and non-certifiable information into an assortment of resumetemplates such that a resume with a professional appearance isgenerated. It is contemplated that the non-certifiable sections will bereflected as such on the final resume. In addition, the presentinvention contemplates that full certification of all sections may notalways be desirable and therefore contemplates utilizing theaforementioned verifications in the following process.

The present invention utilizes the baseline certified resume 118 (FIG.1). It is contemplated that the baseline certified resume may becomprised of a resume containing only verified information. It thesecond case, it is contemplated that the baseline certified resume 118clearly identifies the verified information (such as by symbol,highlighting, etc.) as separate from the non-certified categories. Thepresent invention then contemplates storing the baseline certifiedresume in a baseline candidate database 120.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the resumes stored in thebaseline candidate database may simply be sent to potential employers atthe behest of applicants as an official resume. This relieves theemployer of the necessary background checks and instills confidence inthe information presented. In another embodiment, however, it iscontemplated that the process accepts potential candidate requirementsfor prospective employers 130. The process then identifies baselinecertified resumes from the baseline candidate database having verifiedinformation matching the potential candidate requirements 140. Theprocess then provides the prospective employers with the identifiedbaseline certified resumes 150. This allows the prospective employers tobe provided with a list of candidates that not only meet theirrequirements, but have had those requirements pre-verified as accurate.This both increases the value of the candidates resume as well assignificantly reduces employer time and cost.

The present invention contemplates that resumes and employmentrequirements vary quite significantly, beyond the baseline basics,depending on career, profession, employer and even specific positionswithin the employer. It is therefore contemplated that a range ofdetailed certification is desirable for both efficiency and cost. Ajanitorial position, for example, may only truly require high schooldiploma verification as well as place of last employment. A defensecontractor position, however, may require verification of criminalhistory, post graduate education, accurate job history, and an accuratelist of prior residences to facilitate the issuance of a securityclearance. Furthermore, specific employers or positions may requiredetails not found on common resumes, such as bar admission or computersoftware certification.

For these reasons, the present invention contemplates the generation ofat least one additional certification category 160 or categories (SeeFIG. 6). These additional certification categories may comprise employerdefined additional certification categories, field of employmentdesigned additional certification categories, or position definedadditional certification categories as discussed above. One embodimentcontemplates organizing the additional certification categories into aplurality of tiered packages 170. The tiered packages are then sold toindividuals at differing rates 180. In this fashion, a person new to thejob force may not be required to pay as much as a twenty-yearphysician's assistant. Similarly, employers will be inherently dealingwith a more tailored group of applicants as the complexity of backgroundincreases. Although these additional certification categories may bepre-determined and offered on a tiered basis to individuals submittingresumes, there also may be unique categories that are too specific to bedealt with in any common applicant basis. Familiarity with a particularbrand of machining tool may be vital for one employer or position, butwould not warrant inclusion in the central processing.

The present invention, therefore, contemplates that an employer maydefine an additional certification category 190 (FIG. 7). The processthen offers to relevant individuals to submit new information for theadditional certification category to be considered (192). The individualis then charged an additional fee to certify the additionalcertification category (194). The identification of such individuals maybe accomplished utilizing existing certified and non-certifiedcategories that complement the additional certification category (suchas general machining background for example). Alternatively, the processmay simply identify prospective individuals whose non-certified categoryinformation would satisfy the employers additional certificationcategory requirements 200. This is shown in FIG. 8. This may beaccomplished by allowing individual generated categories or informationduring the entry process and searching these non-certified categories bykeyword.

In either case, the present invention then contemplates approachingthese prospective individuals with an offer to purchase the additionalcertification. 210 (FIG. 8). This may be accomplished in many ways avariety of fashions. In one embodiment, an individual would simply besolicited for additional certifications directed towards a particularfield or position they seek. In another embodiment, job postings 220could be posted and individuals would be required to enter and or havecertified the additional certifications 230 in order to have theirresumes reviewed for the position (FIG. 9). In this fashion, employersmay require and receive verification of highly specific details thus farunknown in most resumes. The ability to not only identify these uniqueindividuals from a mass database, but to economically have verificationof their unique abilities, provides an advantage to both highlyspecialized employers and highly skilled employees alike.

Another feature of the present invention is contemplated to be a humanresources organization clearinghouse database generated by the certifiedresumes submitted by candidates. The clearinghouse will enable employersto view the data on a secured website to ensure them that the resume hasnot been tampered with after certification. In one embodiment thepotential employer will be given a resume number exclusive to thecandidate's certified resume that will allow them access to the website.In another embodiment, the candidate will be given a personalized linkthat they can include on the resume they submit to an employer. Byaccessing the link on the web, the employer can again access to thecertified resume online to avoid tampering. This may also beaccomplished by allowing the candidate to email the certified resumedirectly through the secured website hosted by the certificationcompany. The email will give the potential employer access to thesecured website to view the certified resume. Finally, it iscontemplated that the candidate be given an encrypted image that, whensubmitted to the secured website, pulls up the certified resume. Theencrypted image is preferably black and white in nature such that it canbe contained on a printed resume, scanned in, and then utilized toaccess the secure website online.

A second embodiment of the invention is described below and shown inpart in FIG. 10. Referring now to FIG. 10, the process 600 starts withreceipt by the “Host” of a request 602 from the person, group, entity orthe like. For convenience, the requestor will be referred to herein as a“person” or “user”, but it is understood that the system is not limitedto use by individuals. This embodiment of the invention can be used byan individual, teams, groups, businesses, entities and the like. Also,the term “Host” is used to refer to the group, business or entity thatis providing the information and profile certification service for theperson or user of the services.

FIG. 10 schematically sets out a basic generic process 600 for creatingand updating a social networking profile. As shown in FIG. 10, theprocess begins with the user requesting a profile program by sending arequest to the Host. The Host receives the request at 602. The Hostreviews the request and upon receiving input from the user, determineswhich of the categories the Host already has in its system. The requestthus is divided into discrete certification categories 604.

If all the categories desired to be checked and certified are already inthe Host's system 606, then certification research and checking isinitiated 608 and the user is charged a fee 610. The information in thecategories are then certified where possible 612 and the user is advised614.

At about the same time, the user is asked 616 if he/she wants to havethe ability to enter data and information subsequently into the profilefor the Host to regularly update the profile and certify any new datawhere appropriate. An inquiry is also made as to whether the user wantsthe Host to automatically update the user's profile. If the user agrees,then a fee is charged 618 or a monthly fee arrangement is established.Then the profile is updated where appropriate in the future 620 and thenew information and data is checked and certified where appropriate. Theuser is contacted 622 to provide information and permission documentswhere appropriate.

If all of the categories are not currently in the Host's system 630,then new categories are generated 632. Checking and certification of theestablished categories 634 is also performed. The user is charged a fee636 for this service by the Host. Any necessary information andpermissions are secured from the user 638, including from an interviewwith the user 640 if necessary. Thereafter, the information and data iscertified 642 where appropriate and the user is advised 644 of theresults.

The user is also asked if he/she wants to regularly update the profileand have the Host do additional certifications in the future 646. If so,the certification and data updating are performed 648 and the user ischarged a one-time or monthly fee 650. The user may also be asked toprovide additional information 652, or the user may supply additionalinformation voluntarily.

For convenience, the matter requested by the user or person will bereferred to herein as a “social networking profile”, but it also couldbe referred to as an expanded resume, or biography. The user can set upits own searchable site, but preferably, the social networking profileis set up and only available from the Host who established the networkprofile services.

In general, the establishing company sets up an interne site that can beaccessed by the user (through a password) and designated who are allowedto view the profile. Access to the profiles can be restricted in manyways, to specified individuals, to certain groups, to certainbusinesses, and the like. All of the access would be read-only access,with only the establishing. Host company having the right and ability tomake changes or additions to the items on the profile. Regular fees arecharged to the users in order to update categories on a regular basis,or to amend or supplement with additional data supplied by the user. Ifthe user asks for new categories to be added and/or certified,additional fees can be charged.

The categories that can be asked to be certified include, for example:(1) charitable activities, including years of service, titles andduties; (2) membership in certain clubs, groups, organizations,including years of membership, titles, or offices held, and duties; (3)membership in “good standing” in certain groups; (4) hobbies; (5)reading materials that the person has read, may read or recommends toothers; (6) languages known, including ability to read and speak incertain languages; (7) personal interests; (8) outside activities; (9)places visited; (10) personal philosophies and/or religion; (11) screenname or other identifier names; (12) email address; (13) reachabilitythrough twitter or websites; (14) links to websites; (15) internetsocial groups; (16) passport; (17) updated photographs of the person orother individuals; (18) personal specialties and skills; (19)directorships or officers of groups or entities; (20) interest in othersocial or business clubs; (21) changes/advancements in business; (22)awards; (23) publications/articles authored or co-authored; (24) highschool, including activities and sports teams; (25) active interests,such as jogging, golf, tennis, etc.; (26) financial matters; (27)mentors, coaches or advisors; (28) inspirational persons, places orthings; (29) personal data such as address, phone numbers, etc.; and(30) political views or party. If any of these items, or others, areclaimed on a resume, job application or social networking profile, thenefforts can be made to certify and document the information added ordesired to be added to the profile.

The company or establishment hosting the profiles, has numerouspublically available tools it can utilize in order to attempt to certifyany of the claims, data or information that the user has indicated orwishes to include on the profile. The Host can also, with therequestor's permission, contact others to certify the accuracy of thedata on the profile. The Host can also submit questions to the user foradditional information or possibly to verify certain information.

The Host can also offer or provide additional services to the user whichcan enhance the user's knowledge and/or experiences. These servicescould make the user more successful, either in the business world orpersonally as a better person or citizen. The services could prevent theuser from proceeding along the wrong path in life. The Host caninterrogate the user with numerous questions, either orally or inwriting which would allow these additional services to be welcomed andutilized.

The service tools which can help the user after enrollment in the Host'ssystem include, for example: (1) aid in preparing resumes; (2) aid ininterviewing; (3) feedback from employers; (4) occupational tutorials;(5) career testing; (6) personal branding; (7) job forums; (8) languageassistance; (9) working with recruiters; (10) services for youths andsenior citizens; (11) directory of any desired services; (12) assessmentof available opportunities; (13) assessment of the requestor's skills;(14) matching of the requestor's skill and experience with available jobdescriptions; (15) networking tools in the requestor's field(s) ofinterest; (16) profiles of successful people in the requestor's field(s)of interest; (17) career path alternatives; (18) interactive calendars;(19) career and salary comparisons; (20) contact lists and addressbooks; (21) vocational training; and (22) relocation services. Thereare, of course, numerous other services that the Host could supply tothe users. Some of the services could be offered free and others atvarious charges or fees.

The certification process for the profile is the same as, or similar to,the certification process described above with respect to the resumecertification program. The profile certification can include internetdatabases, phone inquiries, credit checks, government records and otherinvestigative measures. For categories like membership in certain groupsor organizations, or directorships or officer positions, internetsources and telephone inquiries may be sufficient. For publications andarticles, again the internet could be the best source for certification.Asking the user for copies or documents verifying the information alsocould be sufficient. Language skills, hobbies, personal activities,philosophies, and the like, are categories which might not becertifiable absent a personal interview with the user—either orally orin writing. Checks with credible references could also be utilized.Promotions, additional education, or academic data, achievement awardsthe like can be certified in many ways, as discussed earlier withreference to FIG. 1-9. Securing permission for the user can be securedrelative to any matters involving privacy issues.

In addition, the information on the social profiles could be designatedor divided into groups or categories depending on the reliability of theinformation secured or utilized to attempt to verify and certify theinformation.

Corrections to profile data can also be made as discussed above. Theuser is first provided with an opportunity to correct any inaccuracies.If the information is still not correct, then the categories in questionis either marked “uncertified”, or removed from the profile.

This embodiment of the invention creates a process of “imagineering”helping to define the user's or person's desired occupation, as well asdefining what occupations the user does not want. Also, with thisprocess, it helps persons who have a continued interest in keeping theeducation, achievements and certifications up to date throughout theperson's working and social lives. Constantly reviewing and updating toadd the latest improvements, could help the person's career advances,techniques and tactics. Keeping up to date with friends, professionalcontacts, and acquaintances could help the user both socially andprofessionally.

By taking users' academic and personal interests into account, suggestedavenues and opportunities could be provided which were not previouslyconsidered by the users.

As with the situation concerning employment resumes discussed above, thesocial networking profile, if updated, could be used to secure newemployment or advancements in the users' present employment.

Since the user structures and controls the personal information throughthe requests for certification, privacy issues may not be involved toany extent. Of course, any requests which are certified based on publicdata and information should not have privacy concerns.

The solid networking profile, like a resume, can be a social network anda map of specified ties, such as for business purposes or forfriendship. The nodes to which the user is connected are the socialcontacts of that person.

Once the profile is started and completed at one point in time, theusers should be interested in constantly updating the academic,educational, business advancements, and experience developmentsthroughout life. By constantly updating the profile, the user has themost to gain, both monetarily and socially. The users thus have a vestedinterest in updating the career status and latest duties andresponsibilities to increase professional opportunities and socialstanding.

The profile process and program combines varied intelligence in order todisplay the user's successful achievements and experiences. The profilealso learns cumulatively over the user's life. The profile is a dynamiccommunication structure that is operationally and cost efficient andthat reflects its objectives in a focused communication format. Learnedfacts are continually added to the growing database. The documents andfacts are reviewed more accurately and efficiently over time for anyuser based on past reviews for that user. The program codifies in realtime a dynamic learning and reporting system resume that assists theuser in numerous ways.

While the invention has been described in connection with one or moreembodiments, it is to be understood that the specific mechanisms andtechniques which have been described are merely illustrative of theprinciples of the invention, numerous modifications may be made to themethods and apparatus described without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A process of information certification and profiling comprising:receiving a request from a user; processing information from said userinto discreet certification categories; checking at least a portion ofsaid discreet certification categories for certification; certifyingsaid categories where possible and appropriate; updating with newinformation; and certifying any of the new information where possibleand appropriate.
 2. The process as described in claim 1, whereinreceiving a request from a user comprises having the user fill in saiddiscreet certification categories.
 3. The process as described in claim1, further comprising: receiving potential candidate requirements fromprospective employers; and identifying baseline certified resumes fromthe user's data having verified information matching said potentialcandidate requirements.
 4. The process as described in claim 1, furthercomprising: generating at least one additional certification category;charging an additional fee to certify said additional certificationcategory.
 5. The process as described in claim 4, wherein said at leastone additional certification category comprises a plurality ofadditional certification categories, the process further comprising:organizing said additional certification categories into a plurality oftiered packages; offering said plurality of tiered packages to the userat varying rates.
 6. The process as described in claim 4, furthercomprising: soliciting said user to submit new information for newadditional certification categories.
 7. The process as described inclaim 1 further comprising requesting additional information from theuser to assist in certification of any information.
 8. A process ofinformation certification and profiling comprising: receiving a requestfrom a user; processing information from said request into discreetcertification categories; certifying at least a portion of said discreetcertification categories; generating at least one additionalcertification category; charging an additional fee to certify saidadditional certification category; producing a profile with at least oneinformation certification; storing said profile in a user database; andupdating said profile in the future to add additional information. 9.The process as described in claim 8, wherein updating said profileincludes taking steps to certify said additional information.
 10. Theprocess as described in claim 9, wherein taking steps to certify saidadditional information includes securing more additional informationfrom the user.
 11. The process as described in claim 9, wherein saidadditional information comprises a plurality of additional certificationcategories, the process further comprising: organizing said additionalcertification categories into a plurality of tiered packages; offeringsaid plurality of tiered packages to the user at varying rates.
 12. Aprocess as described in claim 9, wherein said additional informationincludes certified category information and non-certified categoryinformation.
 13. The process of resume certification as described inclaim 9, further comprising: soliciting the user to submit newinformation for additional certification categories.
 14. The process asdescribed in claim 8, wherein said certification comprises:electronically verifying the accreditation of information applied to theuser.
 15. The process as described in claim 8, further comprising:securing permission from the user to attempt to certify selectedinformation.